SICURO · Travel Risk Map

Sierra Leone Travel Risk Level

Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution

Sierra Leone faces a moderate risk from civil unrest and violent crime, with the US State Department issuing a Level 2 advisory. Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure.

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Government travel advisories

The headline risk level reflects the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. France Diplomatie and Germany's Auswärtiges Amt apply more conservative criteria and are shown below for additional context.

US State Department

Level 2 · whole-country level
Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime , unrest , and inadequate health infrastructure . Crime Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, occur frequently in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown. Police struggle to respond to serious crime in most places due to limited resources. Do not travel outside the Freetown peninsula after nightfall. There are increased safety hazards and security concerns at night. U.S. government employees in Sierra Leone are prohibited from travel outside the capital after dark. The U.S. Embassy in Freetown cannot offer emergency services outside Freetown at night. Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime . Unrest Demonstrations and protests occur in Sierra Leone and occasionally result in violence. Protests can happen with little to no warning. They often develop around political issues, large events, or holidays. Health Sierra Leone’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Be sure to bring enough prescription medications to last the entire duration of your trip. Review our information on Travel Insurance .

UK FCDO

See our travel advice before travelling · whole-country level
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO : travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram

France Diplomatie

Heightened vigilance · whole-country level
France Diplomatie : vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).
Higher-risk regions — Travel advised against except for essential reasons: Specific zones carry a higher advisory than the country overall.

Germany Auswärtiges Amt

Travel advice (Reisehinweise) · whole-country level
Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.

Active disaster alerts (GDACS)

No active GDACS disaster events for Sierra Leone at this time.

Health alerts (WHO)

No active WHO health alerts for Sierra Leone at this time.

Global & regional health alerts (WHO)

Cross-border outbreaks and pandemic-scale alerts that affect travellers regardless of destination.

Global · Chikungunya
2025-10-03T11:25:30Z
Regional · Diphtheria
2025-11-21T19:00:00Z
Global
2025-12-10T19:00:00Z

Recent risk-level changes

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone is currently assessed at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) based on the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure.

What is the current US State Department travel advisory for Sierra Leone?

The US State Department currently rates Sierra Leone at Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution — for the country as a whole. Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure.

What is the current UK FCDO advice for Sierra Leone?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises: "See our travel advice before travelling" for Sierra Leone as a whole. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.

What is the current France Diplomatie advice for Sierra Leone?

France Diplomatie currently advises "Heightened vigilance" for Sierra Leone as a whole. Specific regions are rated higher (Travel advised against except for essential reasons). France Diplomatie: vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).

What is the current Germany Auswärtiges Amt advice for Sierra Leone?

Germany's Auswärtiges Amt currently advises "Travel advice (Reisehinweise)" for Sierra Leone as a whole. Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.

Other countries at Level 2